Fighting cancer with precision

Radiopharmacy is opening up new avenues in cancer therapy - targeted, precise and with fewer side effects than conventional treatments. Saxony plays a central role in this and is developing into a global hotspot for innovative radiopharmaceutical drugs. In this interview, André Hofmann from biosaxony explains how a strong network of research and companies is putting Saxony at the forefront of this pioneering industry. Find out how radiopharmacy works and what potential it harbours.

Saxony as an innovation centre for radiopharmacy?

A large number of companies and research institutions are already active in the field of radiopharmacy in Saxony. Companies such as ROTOP Pharmaka, ABX Advanced Biochemical Compounds, ABX-CRO or Eckert & Ziegler with Isotope Technologies Dresden, some of which are already generating millions in sales. Companies, research institutions, suppliers, recyclers and many more are closely networked with each other.

All companies are growing continuously, which can be seen, for example, in Eckert & Ziegler's latest investment: a few weeks ago, the company began construction of a new 1,700 square metre building in Dresden. Eckert & Ziegler is investing up to 50 million euros in the expansion of its production site in Dresden. In addition, there are excellent research facilities such as the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf and CERNT, which focuses on the development of imaging technologies.

Radiopharmacy is therefore a booming industry…

In any case. And what is currently happening in Saxony, as well as in other locations around the world, is just the beginning. According to forecasts, the global oncology market will grow to around USD 600 billion by 2031. The share of radiotherapeutics is expected to increase twenty-fold to around USD 25 billion by then.

… and Saxony is right in the middle of it?

Yes! The companies and institutions mentioned already occupy a central position in this growth sector. Saxony is an ideal location for this industry due to its excellent research and corporate infrastructure and the availability of highly qualified specialists. And: We still have plenty of space for further companies to settle here.

You tend to associate Saxony with the semiconductor or automotive industry, not with radiopharmaceuticals. How do you want to change that?

We at biosaxony, the Saxon network of companies and research institutions in biotechnology, medical technology and the healthcare industry, have recently launched a new network with all radiopharmaceutical stakeholders. It is called „nukliD“ and just like a nuclide that is of central importance for radiopharmacy in terms of its composition and effectiveness, we as a network also want to work internally and represent local radiopharmacy externally. nukliD will jointly and innovatively drive the development of the location and thus also open up new perspectives for the treatment of cancer. nukliD will act as a Saxon umbrella brand for many players at home and abroad, draw attention to Saxony's radiopharmacy and recruit international specialists and, if necessary, train them.